200 hits in two days to view my blog.

One year has pass, have all these questions been answered?

November 28, 2008
3084 Dunmore Drive
Lake Wales FL 33859
tscali@aol.com

The Lake Ashton CDD Board of Supervisors:

Congratulations to the new board. Now that the residents have control of the CDD Board, it is my sincere hope that there will be some significant changes in how this Board functions.

I am requesting a time slot at the December 12 Board meeting to read the following two pages of work items that I hope this Board finds useful and willing to address. While I do not expect answers to all questions immediately, I certainly do expect answers within a reasonable period of time for each item. Items one and two should be addressed at the December 12 meeting and a status provided.

If requested, I am willing to work with the Board to address some of these items.

I remain a concerned resident of Lake Ashton,

Thomas D Scali

Proposed CDD Work Items

Please provide a full explanation of the real estate tax issue pending with the CDD and Polk County. What is the current status?
Please provide a full explanation as to why the clubhouse bar license was suspended and what is being done to restore it.
The CDD should generate a spreadsheet of all required actions with required dates that involve the city, state and US government. This should be a G. Flint work item. I suspect that Item 2 would not have happened if this spreadsheet were in place and reviewed at every Board meeting.
If a resident of Lake Ashton is not a resident of Florida, that resident cannot vote in the CDD election. Elections rules need to be changed for CDD districts. G. Flint should determine what actions are required to get this resolved.
Require all CDD vendors to provide meaningful financial data, especially the restaurant and banquet facilities.
Review all CDD contracts to determine what changes are needed to ensure that the contracts protect the interests of LA residents and not the vendor. The CDD should be writing the contracts and not the vendor.
Do the CDD contracts have an escape clause, for instance a 90 day termination clause? If not then rewrite the contracts. If necessary break the contracts and then re-bid them.
Create a long term maintenance and capital expense budget
Create a time line of projected maintenance and capital expense items. G. Flint should be able to provide this.
Determine a cost for each maintenance and capital expense item and include some appreciation factor. Again G. Flint should be able to provide this.
Factor these results into next year and subsequent years CDD Maintenance assessment.
All residents should pay their fair share of projected maintenance expenses not just those who happen to be there at the time the expense occurs.
J. Chickness provided the prior CDD Board with detail maintenance problems and they were never addressed in particular cracks in the exterior walls of the clubhouse and the roads. Does the new CDD Board have any leverage to get the developer to repair these problems?
Review all utilities and insurance costs to determine if changes are required to reduce CDD expenses. Validate the answers to the following questions:
Who pays for the sales office utilities; who pays for the electricity when RVs are parked in the Sales Parking lot and are plugged in?
Who pays the electricity for pumping water into the ponds that are used to water the golf course? Who pays for watering the golf course?
Who pays for phone systems in the sales office, MX office, and management offices?
Does MX provide any funds to the CDD in return for using office space, insurance and electricity?
Who pays for electrical usage including A/C and insurance for the restaurant?
Should the management company reimburse the CDD for office space, electricity, phone service, and insurance?
Determine what the costs are for additional electrical metering or modifications to the phone system as a result of 5) and correct those items that are financially feasible.
Rewrite vendor contracts to insure that the vendors pay for their own electric, phone and insurance while using the CDD amenities.
Create a process to assure that all ballroom & meeting room rentals are in fact credited to CDD.
Create a usage policy for any persons or groups who use our facilities and earn a profit.
Review the LA Map and determine if all properties have been transferred to the CDD and validate this with the Polk County Assessors office.
Setup meetings with the special interest group on the roads to determine how the CDD can address the road issue.
Setup meetings with the Villages to determine what they did to get the courts to grant them many millions of dollars from their developer. I volunteer to be on that committee.
Who owns the Sales Office Building? Was any CDD money used to develop it?

Blog Poll

Why don't these people that doesn't like reading my blog just stop looking at it. I know Joe Hunter reads it every day to get his education. He is running all over the place voting No on the poll.

Joe Hunter "do nothing", does nothing

Once again Joe Hunter does nothing about the residents being throw out of the cinema. Just like the homes and cars of the residents were being broken in to, he says nothing to warn the residents, yet some of the residents put him on a pedestal. Yes, there are a few sick residents here in Lake Ashton.

I wish to thank Jeff Salvin, CDD president for getting hold of the Chamber of Commerce and getting a apology. Those people had to be in a state of shock to be throw out for no good reason at all.

Joe Hunter is a "Do Nothing", make no bones about it. What more proof do you need?

Apologize to the residents from Management

Renters VS Lake Ashton Residents
Thursday, October 08, 2009 7:40:15 AM
From:
""
To:
""
Tony,

Management has apologized for that situation, and they have assured me that it will not happen again. If there is anything else I can do for you, please do not hesitate to let me know.

Jeff Salvin

In a message dated 10/5/2009 12:36:09 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, Arodilla@wmconnect.com writes:

Mr.Salvin, on 9-10-09(Thursday), Winter Haven Chambers of Commerce,rented the Lake Ashton Ballroom, that night at 7:00 PM, we have the movie at the Cinema.They decided to cancel the movie.So we have to go home.Next day at the CDD meeting ,we told Tricia and Joe Hunter, why at the last moment the movie was cancel, they told us, we don't know nothing about it.There was a guy there , he told us, they decided to cancel the movie because they need more space, and put more tables.
Can you add this problem at the next CDD Meeting.

Tony Rodilla

Don't enjoy reading this blog than read your comic paper and keep off this site.

JOKE Stick of dynamite

A large, powerfully-built guy meets a woman at a bar. After a number of drinks, they agree to go back to his place. As they are making out in the bedroom, he stands up and starts to undress. After he takes his shirt off, he flexes his muscular arms and says, "See that, baby? That''s 1000 pounds of dynamite!" She begins to drool. The man drops his pants, strikes a bodybuilder''s pose, and says, referring to his bulging thighs, "See those, baby? That''s 1000 pounds of dynamite!" She is aching for action at this point. Finally, he drops his underpants, and after a quick glance, she grabs her purse and runs screaming to the front door. He catches her before she is able to leave and asks, "Why are you in such a hurry to go?" She replies, "With 2000 pounds of dynamite and such a short fuse, I was afraid you were about to blow!"

Bird Man

Yes, the bird man from Lake Ashton left a note on the table for is wife, Ms Bird lady saying he has left her for a ballroom dancer. I guess he does not like birds anymore.

News Wanted please reply to lakeashtontalk@yahoo.com

The words of "So help us God" is missing

SHALL WE HIRE A MONUMENT ENGRAVER TO GO TO ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY AND ADD THE MISSING WORDS ?

A MESSAGE FROM AN APPALLED OBSERVER:

Today I went to visit the new World War II Memorial in Washington , DC . I got an unexpected history lesson. Because I'm a baby boomer, I was one of the youngest in the crowd.. Most were the age of my parents, Veterans of 'the greatest war,' with their families. It was a beautiful day, and people were smiling and happy to be there Hundreds of us milled around the memorial, re ading the inspiring words of Eisenhower and Truman that are engraved there.

On the Pacific side of the memorial, a group of us gathered to read the words President Roosevelt used to announce the attack on Pearl Harbor:

Yesterday, December 7, 1941-- a date which will live in infamy--the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked.

One elderly woman read the words aloud:

'With confidence in our armed forces, with the abounding determination of our people, we will gain the inevitable triumph.'

But as she read, she was suddenly turned angry. 'Wait a minute,' she said, 'they left out the end of the quote. They left out the most important part. Roosevelt ended the message with 'so help us God.'

Her husband said, 'You are probably right.. We're not supposed to say things like that now .'

'I know I'm right,' she insisted. 'I remember the speech.' The two looked dismayed,
shook their heads sadly and walked away..

Listening to their conversation, I thought to myself, Well, it has been over 50 years she's probably forgotten.'

But she had not forgotten. She was right.

I went home and pulled out the book my book club is reading --- 'Flags of Our Fathers' by James Bradley. It's all about the battle at Iwo Jima ...

I haven't gotten too far in the book. It's tough to read because it's a graphic description of the WWII battles in the Pacific.

But right there it was on page 58. Roosevelt 's speech to the nation ends in 'so help us God.'

The people who edited out that part of the speech when they engraved it on the memorial could have fooled me. I was born after the war.! But they couldn't fool the people who were there. Roosevelt 's words are engraved on their hearts.

Now I ask: 'WHO GAVE THEM THE RIGHT TO CHANGE THE WORDS OF HISTORY?????????'

Send this around to your friends. People need to know before everyone forgets.

People today are trying to change the history of America by leaving God out of it, but the truth is, God has been a part of this nation, since the beginning. He still wants to be...and He always will be!

If you agree, pass this on and God Bless YOU!

If not, May God Forgive You!

USPS New 42-Cent Stamp!!! Celebrates Muslim holiday

If there is only ONE thing you forward today.... let it be this!
REMEMBER the MUSLIM bombing of Pan Am Flight 103!
REMEMBER the MUSLIM bombing of the World Trade Center in 1993!
REMEMBER the MUSLIM bombing of the Marine Barracks in Lebanon !
REMEMBER the MUSLIM bombing of the military Barracks in Saudi Arabia !
REMEMBER the MUSLIM bombing of the American Embassies in Africa !
REMEMBER the MUSLIM bombing of the USS COLE!
REMEMBER the MUSLIM attack on 9/11/2001 !
REMEMBER all the AMERICAN lives that were lost in those vicious MUSLIM attacks!

Now President Obama has directed the United States Postal Service to REMEMBER and HONOR the EID MUSLIM holiday season with a new commemorative 42 Cent First Class Holiday Postage Stamp..
REMEMBER to adamantly & vocally BOYCOTT this stamp, when you are purchasing your stamps at the post office.
All you have to say is "No thank you, I do not want that Muslim Stamp on my letters!"

To use this stamp would be a slap in the face to all those AMERICANS who died at the hands of those whom this stamp honors.
REMEMBER ~
pass this along to every Patriotic AMERICAN that you know and lets get the word out !!!
Here is something to chew on...
They (MUSLIMS) don't even believe in Christ, & they're getting their own Christmas stamp! BUT, don't dare to dream of posting the ten commandments on federal property! This is truly UNBELIEVABLE

Promises not kept in Northside Jacksonville CDD

Amenities lured buyers, but real-estate meltdown keeps district from building

Article Courtesy of The Florida Times Union
By David Bauerlein
Published September 8, 2009

The promise of a recreation center with a swimming pool overcame Phyleshia Jones' initial wariness about buying a home in the Villages of Westport, a community development district on Jacksonville's Northside.

Three years later, the recreation center with its pool and playing fields hasn't been built and there is no target date for when it will be.

Jones is paying about $1,300 a year in community development district assessments - money she expected would take the Villages of Westport to the next level, but instead is just a financial drain on her.

"We kind of feel shafted," she said.

The holdup over construction of the recreation center shows how the economic downturn is affecting one community development district. The Villages of Westport is one of several dozen community development districts that were formed across Northeast Florida when residential developments were popping out of the ground, home prices were shooting up, and builders scrambled to meet the demand.

But the real estate meltdown brought those developments back to Earth. At the Villages of Westport, some streets have homes, but they are in the midst of acres of vacant lots.

The Villages of Westport Community Development District could build the recreation center, but that would require an increase in the assessments charged to property owners so the district can cover the day-to-day expenses of operating and maintaining the recreational facilities, officials said.

The district hasn't done an analysis of how much the additional assessment would be, but it would probably be several hundred dollars per single-family lot owner, said Jim Perry of Governmental Management Services, which manages the district. He said in these tough economic times, increasing the assessment by that much is not something the district's board of directors wants to do.

He said much smaller increases in assessments at community development districts have caused outrage among property owners.

Located off Dunn Avenue west of Interstate 295, the Villages of Westport has been marketed as a master-planned community. The Web site for the project says its "community features include an impressive swimming pool, tennis courts and multi-use playing fields."

Andrew Hampton said he bought a home in 2007 based on that plan.

"My wife and I had looked at 50 houses all over Jacksonville," he said. "They sold us on the master-planned community."

Davina Butler and her husband bought a home in 2008 and expected the recreation center would be great for bringing up two children.

"Now, here it is two years later and we still don't have it, and nobody is responding to us," Butler said. "We get letters when fees are going up but nothing more."

Under Florida law, community development districts have the authority to issue bonds for construction of many aspects of a development. Perry said in some cases, districts have built the recreation center before any homes are sold, while in other places, districts have waited a few years to put in those amenities.

Goverment don't care. Forecloser 1 out of 140 homes

Article Courtesy of The Bradenton Herald
By DUANE MARSTELLER
Published October 5, 2009

MANATEE — A trio of early bills filed in Tallahassee aim to provide more protections to Florida homeowners and tenants in foreclosure cases, but it’s unlikely any will be passed.

The bills, all filed by House Democrats, likely will have an uphill battle next year in the Republican-controlled Legislature, which didn’t act on similar proposals in 2009. All three measures also face resistance from the state’s banking industry, which remains politically influential despite the economic beating it has taken.

And, foreclosure experts say, some of the bills’ provisions might be undercut by state and federal laws and mortgage-relief efforts.

“I doubt any will get passed, but we’ve got to do something about this crisis,” said Rep. Darren Soto, D-Orlando, who filed two of the bills.

Florida ranks second nationally in foreclosure activity, with one in every 140 homes receiving a foreclosure-related notice in August, according to RealtyTrac, a tracking firm in Irvine, Calif.

One of Soto’s bills would prohibit deficiency decrees in final foreclosure judgments against homesteaded property. A deficiency decree is a judgment against a borrower for the balance still owed if his property is auctioned for less than the final foreclosure judgment amount.

The other would, among other things, allow borrowers to invoke mediation in foreclosure cases involving homesteaded properties.
Third bill by Rep. Hazel Rogers, D-Lauderhill, would force lenders to provide greater notification and financial assistance to tenants involved in foreclosures or short sales.

Mediation bill has tough road/

Soto’s “Foreclosure Bill of Rights” appears to have the steepest climb to passage, as an identical bill never got a committee hearing during the 2009 session.

It would let homesteaded borrowers invoke mediation in foreclosure suits still pending as of July 1, 2010, or filed between that date and July 1, 2015. In preparation for mediation, lenders would have to conduct an updated appraisal and furnish copies of the mortgage, note and closing papers to borrowers. Lenders also would be required to negotiate in good faith, with a judge making that determination.

In turn, borrowers would have to provide up to three years’ worth of personal financial information.

If the mediation results in a reduction in the mortgage principal, the lender would be allowed to file a forbearance lien for the amount of the reduction — basically postponing the foreclosure. That allows the lender to recoup any loss if the mortgage is later refinanced or the home is sold for excess funds. If there are no excess funds, the lender can seek to foreclose on the lien.

Soto, a lawyer who has represented borrowers in foreclosure cases, says the bill would force lenders to bargain in good faith. It also would encourage lenders to do more in mediation than just offer lower mortgage payments without reducing principal despite the property’s drop in value, he says.

The Florida Bankers Association hasn’t taken a position on the bill, as it is waiting to see what the Florida Supreme Court does in response to a task force report that urged mediation, an official says. But the group sees several potential problems.

“We’re not opposed to mediation,” said Anthony DiMarco, the association’s executive vice president of government relations. “We’re opposed to it being misused as a delaying tactic.”

The trade group also would oppose the required appraisal if its purpose is to reduce the principal and relieve borrowers of their financial obligations, DiMarco says. And the forbearance lien provision won’t be attractive to lenders, many of whom don’t own the mortgage they’re seeking to foreclose on.

Anne Weintraub, a Sarasota attorney and foreclosure expert, says the lien provision could stoke more litigation after foreclosure.

“The ultimate goal here should be finality so both the borrower and lender can move on when the home is sold,” she said, adding she supports the bill’s encouragement of mediation.

Differences on deficiency bill

Weintraub and the bankers’ group differ on Soto’s deficiency decree bill.

A deficiency decree can be valid for up to 10 years, with a 10-year renewal period. Soto calls it “a double anvil” that could stifle the housing market’s recovery.

We don’t need this huge debt saddling them for 20 years, because it could block them from getting back into the housing market,” he said.

But Weintraub calls the bill “long overdue,” saying many other states already outlaw deficiency judgments in foreclosure proceedings.

“It is about time that the state of Florida protects its homestead homeowners,” she said. “Bravo to the Legislature if they can get this bill passed.”

But DiMarco says the bankers association believes it would unfairly let borrowers off the hook for part of their financial obligations.

“You signed a note and borrowed a certain amount of money and agreed to repay it,” he said, adding it should be the lender’s choice whether to seek a deficiency judgment.

Others say the bill could infringe on contract rights in mortgages that contain a provision for such a judgment.

Tenants bill: mixed reactions

Rogers’ bill would require lenders to notify tenants of rental properties that may be subject to a foreclosure action or short sale. Lenders also would be required to give the tenant first chance to buy the property and use any escrow funds the lender has accumulated from the property owner toward the tenant’s closing costs.

If the tenant decides not to buy, then any available escrow funds must be used to help relocate him. To qualify, the tenant must have a written lease and a one-year rental history.

It would have limited impact, Weintraub says, as it would only apply to tenants with annual leases. Also, many tenants are former homeowners who don’t have the credit needed to buy the place they are renting because they’ve lost their previous homes to foreclosure or short sales.

The bankers group would oppose the escrow provisions because that money is supposed to pay for property insurance and taxes, DiMarco says. Lenders also could unfairly take a big financial hit if they have to relocate hundreds or thousands of renters from an apartment complex, for example.

Experts say the bill’s provisions would duplicate a federal tenants’ rights law that was passed earlier this year.

Entertainment Series

If you read their flyer, They describe their entertainment series as , most exciting, biggest stars, simply the best entertainment series in central Florida. Look at the prices $72 to $120. and they don't tell you who the stars are. Joe blow from Idaho. They are totaly crazy and you are crazy if you buy tickets to unknown stars. How many shows last year did you enjoy, ONE? I went to a few shows and I truly enjoy only one. Sorry, I will not spent my money to see a show that Tricia puts on. And there is always a chance you might miss one.

Golf curses!

Some people might still spell it golf course. But for many communities, owning golf courses has backfired and turned into a curse that creates even more havoc – considering the recent headlines in the media – nationwide. Golf courses are dragging down property values.

Latest after our economy failed, every homeowner living in a mandatory association with many amenities has realized that every amenity is an additional financial liability. Homes and units are collateral for debts incurred paying for these amenities. While many communities with barely any amenities seem to be able to survive even if many of the homes and units don’t pay their maintenance dues, communities with many amenities go flat broke, caused by the extra financial burden of clubhouse, pool, tennis court, marina etc. – and especially a golf course!

Don’t forget:
* Florida has too many golf courses already.
* The cost of maintaining an 18-hole golf course has nearly doubled in the last 7 (seven) years.
* The number of golf players in Florida is decreasing – according to the PGA.
* The new wave of retirees – who may or may not ever come back to Florida – is not as eager to play golf as the former generation.

The former sales incentive that caused buyers to pay extra has turned into a curse! And any board members and golf fanatics who are still gung-ho trying to buy a golf course for the community, offered by a near bankrupt developer, have either not learned one little thing or they want the neighbors to pay for their entertainment.

Still not convinced that a golf course is more a curse than a smart investment?

Read these two articles that were published last week in the media;

Teed-Off Residents Drive Developer to Brink of Ruin

[http://www.ccfj.net/HOAFLBBCgolfcourse2.html]

(Don’t forget to read the attached lawsuit that was filed!)

Golf community teed off over fees

[http://www.ccfj.net/HOAFLTBGCCgolfcourse.html]

And in case you still haven’t figured it out: Owning a golf course decreases the value of property within the community – not increases value! Homes and condos that come with golf-club memberships are not attracting buyers – the word of the GOLF CURSE is spreading real fast!

Prepare to pay more for Florida home insurance New Florida law allows insurers to quickly pass certain costs to customers

Article Courtesy of The Sun Sentinel
By Julie Patel
Published October 1, 2009

Seven major Florida property insurers are asking to increase home insurance rates from 8 percent to 15 percent within the next year despite several years without serious storms.

The insurers who are among the top 25 largest home insurers in Florida submitted the rate proposals to the Office of Insurance Regulation. Most of the insurers say they need the increase to pay for higher costs of reinsurance backup coverage used to pay for catastrophic claims filed, for instance, after a hurricane.

Private reinsurance coverage costs are rising and there is less backup coverage available from the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund, a state reinsurer that will shrink each year for the next few years under a new law passed by the Legislature.

The law also speeds up the process for insurers to pass certain reinsurance costs to customers but the increase is capped at 10 percent for any individual policyholder. Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty told the Florida Cabinet recently that insurers may need to increase rates to offset drops in claims-paying reserves.

Tom Zutell, spokesman for the Office of Insurance Regulation, said the office "will of course follow the law and continue to have our actuaries diligently review all rate filings to ensure they are not excessive, inadequate or unfairly discriminatory."

Universal Property & Casualty Insurance has proposed increasing statewide premiums by an average of 9.8 percent. With about 461,000 policies, Universal is the state's third largest home insurer after state-run Citizens Property Insurance Corp., which plans to boost premiums next year by up to 10 percent, and State Farm, which plans to the leave the state.

Among those with the highest proposed increases is Orlando-based St. Johns Insurance Co., which has more than 198,000 policies and proposes increasing rates for home and condominium unit owners by a statewide average of 14.9 percent. Liberty Mutual Fire Insurance Co., which has about 99,000 policies, asked to boost statewide rates for home and condominium unit owners by 14.7 percent and renters' insurance rates by 12.7 percent.

In its filing, Universal says it wants to "remain competitive and grow in key regions," St. Johns says its request mainly includes revised reinsurance costs and Liberty Mutual says it needs the increase because of the catastrophe fund and because of losses on claims.

American Integrity Insurance, Southern Fidelity Insurance and United Property and Casualty Insurance have also asked to increase rates.

Lisa Miller, a former deputy insurance commissioner and spokeswoman for American Integrity Insurance Company, said the rate increase will allow company officials to keep "keep their promises to their customers."

McCarty along with representatives from Citizens and the catastrophe fund will field questions on the state of Florida's insurance industry from the Senate banking and insurance committee on Tuesday.

Gossip

Bird man of Lake Ashton has dance his way out of the community and is now living on the out shirts of the city with his new dance partner. Good luck, I wish you the best.